Show Menu
Cheatography

Imparfait vs. Passé Composé Cheat Sheet by

Formation of Passé Composé

Passe compose is formed like this:

(avoir­­/etre) + (past participle verb) = passé composé

Always remember that avoir and etre must be conjugated in present tense for passe compose.
Regular Participe Passé Endings:

ER - É

IR - I

RE - U

Verbes that use être as Auxiliary

Devenir
Revenir
Monter
Rester
Sortir
Venir
Aller
Naître
Descendre
Entrer
Rentrer
Tomber
Retourner
Arriver
Mourir
Partir
Note - Three Irregular Verbs
venir - venu
mourir - mort
naître - né

Accords - All DR MRS VANDER­TRAMP verbs need to agree with their subject

- Il est venu
- Elle est venue
- Ils sont venus
- Elles sont venues

Irregular past participle

avoir
eu
être
été
-ouvrir
-couvert
-mettre
-mis
-prendre
-pris
pouvoir
pu
vouloir
voulu
devoir
faire
fait
voir
vu
 

Passé Composé vs Imparfait

Passé Composé
 
Imparfait
Actions that were completed
J’ai fini mes devoirs. I finished my homework.
What was happening, with no indication of when or even if it ended
Je faisais mes devoirs. I was doing my homework.
Expresses what happened a specific number of times
J’ai étudié lundi. I studied on (a specific) Monday.
Details what 'used to' happen on a regular basis
J’étudiais le lundi. I used to study on Mondays.
A change in a state of being
J’ai été inspiré par ton succès. I was (became) inspired by your success.
Indicates an ongoing state
J’étais toujours inspiré par mes profs. I was always inspired by my teachers.
A change in a feeling of being
En ce moment, j’ai détesté l’école. At that moment, I hated school.
Indicates an ongoing feeling
J’aimais l’école. I liked school.
Interr­uption of some occurence
… il a commencé à pleuvoir. … it started raining
Describes what was happening before an interr­uption
J’étais à l’école quand … I was at school when …
 

Formation of Imparfait

Imparfait is formed like this:

1) Start with the 'nous' form of verb - ie: manger -> mangeons

2) Remove 'ons' from verb -> mangeons

3) Add imparfait ending -> Je mangeais
Imparfait Endings:

Je - ais
Tu - ais
Il/Elle/On - ait
Nous - ions
Vous - iez
Ils/Elles - aient

Irregular - Imparfait

Irregular verbs follow the same rules for the formation of the imperfect as do regular verbs. To form the imperfect, simply drop the ‐ons and add the imperfect endings given earlier:

Imparfait - Irregular Exceptions

‐cer change ‐c to ‐ç
ie: avancer --> avançais, avançait
‐ger insert a silent ‐e between ‐g and ‐a
ie: manger --> mangeais, mangeait
 

Comments

No comments yet. Add yours below!

Add a Comment

Your Comment

Please enter your name.

    Please enter your email address

      Please enter your Comment.

          Related Cheat Sheets

          3 Irregular French Verbs Conjegation Cheat Sheet
          Passe Compose Cheat Sheet
          Present Tense - French Cheat Sheet

          More Cheat Sheets by griesed87

          Present Tense - French Cheat Sheet